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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU for getting upset that my family refuses to come to my home for Christmas

96 replies

Museumland · 16/12/2019 22:39

Every year for the last 20 I cook Christmas lunch at my parents house. I buy all the food, load up my car with baking trays, condiments, cooking knives and lay the table, make all the food and clear up and leave exhausted. This is because my mother refuses to not have Christmas in her home. She is elderly but goes out once a week to have a meal with my dad and a carer goes with them . This year I have been unwell and it took me a few months to get better but I feel more tired and I need to be careful. My mother said I could cook Christmas lunch in my own flat which is so less stressful for me. There's no issue re transport. I invited two friends who are on their own. Now my mother has changed her mind and insists I cook lunch at her house and my friends can come too and her carer will join us as she doesn't have family so now I am cooking in her house for my 8. My dad says he'll help but he literally can't turn the oven on. I feel so upset and can't understand why she won't come to my home, my friends wouldn't have accepted the invite if they had known it was at my parents house and I wouldn't have invited them, but they will probably feel obligated. I just feel upset and given I was really quite ill this year just really upset that my mother won't do something for me.

OP posts:
DingDongDenny · 16/12/2019 22:41

Don't do it. Just tell her it's your house, as agreed and she can come or not - her choice

8paws8legs · 16/12/2019 22:42

Just say no to your mum say that's what you planned and your sticking to it, if they choose not to come you and your friends will still have a brilliant time x

StoneofDestiny · 16/12/2019 22:45

Tell her it's not possible to change things as other people are involved and that you are simply not up to the stress of it all. Your parents and the carter will do well enough without you.

Andysbestadventure · 16/12/2019 22:46

Just say no ffs.

champagneandfromage50 · 16/12/2019 22:47

As hard as it is it is time for you to rise out of the FOG. Stick to your plans and accept you are likely going to feel very guilty but balance it with the fact that your DM has been unreasonable for years...

livefornaps · 16/12/2019 22:48

Say no

gamerchick · 16/12/2019 22:52

Don't do it. Just tell her it's your house, as agreed and she can come or not - her choice

Yep, I do this. Sometimes you put your foot down OP. It's too late to change the day. If she doesn't come, tell her you'll plate a couple of plates up and drop them off later on in the day.

She's not going to change now, no matter how tired you are. It's up to you to make a stand. Your knees will knock together the first time but it gets easier to say no.

CakeandCustard28 · 16/12/2019 22:56

Just say no. Your a grown adult. Stop letting her treat you like a child.

steppemum · 16/12/2019 22:57

Tell your mum now that you have been feeling too tired again, and so have made the decision that you will only cook at your house. Tell her you would love her to come, but you cannot come to hers as you are not well enough.

using your health is a bit of a cop out, but it allows you to stand your ground without it being about her and her issues, it is just you stating your needs.

Do not feel guilty if she says no. You could speak to her carer and ask her to get your mum on side, but don't feel bad if she refuses. Sometimes you have to put yourself first.

justasking111 · 16/12/2019 23:00

Stick to your guns. You organised a christmas they cannot move the goalposts now. You have done 20 years service for them.

AdelaideK · 16/12/2019 23:03

Just say no. You haven't been well so why put yourself through it.

BackforGood · 16/12/2019 23:07

YWBU to change all the plans and go to cook at her house.

YWNBU to say "No, the plans have been made - I'm cooking at my house and you are welcome to come or not as you wish, but I'm not cooking at yours."

TheReluctantCountess · 16/12/2019 23:09

It’s a bit late to be changing plans.

WhereverIMayRoam · 16/12/2019 23:14

Yanbu to feel upset but you’re reacting as if you don’t have any say in the matter. You’ve invited her, she declined. She also waited until you’d made plans to then decide she wanted you to go to her house again. Are you sure she’s not deliberately pushing your buttons here?

I don’t mean to be harsh but you need to toughen up. You’re allowing yourself to be pulled this way and that but you do not have to go along with this. Stick to the plan and have a nice relaxed Christmas with your friends, in your own home.

nestisflown · 16/12/2019 23:22

so now I am cooking in her house for my 8.

I must have missed the bit where your mother held a gun to your head. What's wrong with saying "no thanks, we'll stick to the original plan"?

tensmum1964 · 16/12/2019 23:24

Say no and let her get upset. She will get over it.

ThorsMistress · 16/12/2019 23:32

Say no. Say you’ve not been well and have now arranged Christmas at yours so she can either come or not.

GoodDogBellaBoo · 16/12/2019 23:32

You could just say no?

Catsrus · 16/12/2019 23:33

Just say that you cannot do the meal at her house this year. This is the year you stand up for yourself. Totally ridiculous to expect you to cook and take everything over to her. Bonkers.

GoodDogBellaBoo · 16/12/2019 23:34

Why would your friends want to go over there, that’s really unfair to them even to put them in that situation. Not very nice.

KC225 · 16/12/2019 23:36

Another one to say 'No' to your Mother. You made plans, you have invited people to your home. Surely for one year she can put your first and have a Christmas dinner at your place.

Chocmallows · 16/12/2019 23:38

She changed her mind, I didn't see the part where she asked you to change - she just assumed. Tell her the answer is no. Cook for you and your friends they can join you or the carer will have to help them.

cakeandchampagne · 16/12/2019 23:42

Just say no.

Bluerussian · 16/12/2019 23:47

Stick to your plan, museumland. You've been good cooking at your parents' house for many years, this year it's different and they will just have to suck it up.

I hope you have a good time.

Fucck · 16/12/2019 23:54

I'm guessing that, if this has been going on for 20yrs, you're a fair age? no offence Old enough to grow a backbone!?
She has your dad, they aren't alone. Leave them to it.